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A refresh to Buick's popular Verano sedan appears to be nigh, thanks to these spy photos that show the tweaked four-door testing in Germany.

As with the current Verano, the refreshed model will have a great deal in common with its European platform-mates, the Vauxhall/Opel Astra. Each car rides on General Motors's Delta II platform. Unlike the current car, though, the refreshed model's styling could lean more heavily towards its European roots, if these photos are any indication.

Despite its commonality with the Astra Sedan, the Verano has featured its own unique styling since arriving in the US back in 2011 as a 2012 model, with distinct fascias at both the front and back, as wells its own headlight and taillight designs. The two cars were still rebadged vehicles, but it was more subtle than it will be in 2015, when the refreshed Verano arrives. Astra-like elements are expected to dominate, particularly in regards to the headlights and taillights. That said, trademark Buick styling features will remain, like the waterfall grille. Really, then, the 2016 Verano won't be unlike the Regal – a rebadged Vauxhall/Opel Insignia, aside from a few very small styling details.

All said, we like the idea of the Astra's styling becoming a bigger part of the Verano's design. As compact vehicles go, it's one of the sharper offerings on European roads. Now, if we could only get GM to sell a Buick version of the hatchback, or perhaps a Verano GS based on the Astra OPC...

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When I first heard that the Astra was coming to the U.S. as a Buick, I was excited. Then I saw what they did to it in the form of the current Verano. What a shame. They took what is a very sharp looking car and softened it. They removed the trunk lid spoiler. They added those bulbous, shapeless headlights. Then they added that awful corporate grill. Suddenly the "Astra" looked like an old person's car.
I really hope this one hews more closely to the sharpness of the Opel (assuming the Opel doesn't get bloated in its next iteration). Don't know what can be done about that awful grill though (still better than Acura or Lincoln I suppose).

YEAH!!
Because clearly it is far, far behind in sales compared to the Acura ILX (only) competition, right?
Oh, wait Laser - the Verano outsells the ILX by at least two to one, month after month after month ... and and outsold it by large margins in 2013 AND 2012 - again by two to one or more ... get the picture? Oh, and your comparison to the Ford Flex sales is just as ludicrous, as the Verano also outsells the Flex by two to one most of the time as well.

This is my next car! I'm almost 100% sure! I've liked the Verano ever since it came out but the only thing that turned me off we're those bulbous looking headlights. I thought the Chevy Cruze was a better looking car than the current Verano so I bought a Cruze instead. But looking at these spy photos of the Verano, I like it a lot. I also like the spy photos of the next Chevy Cruze too so I don't know what I'm going to do haha.

I thought similarly between the two. I went with the Verano 2.0T 6MT and couldn't be happier especially since it is tuned.. The more i see the Verano on the road, tons of the in Cleveland area, the more the chiseled. Buick grows on me.

I thought similarly between the two. I went with the Verano 2.0T 6MT and couldn't be happier especially since it is tuned.. The more i see the Verano on the road, tons of the in Cleveland area, the more the chiseled. Buick grows on me.

Design better looking port holes on the hood and redo the electric shaver looking grill then it would look great but for now it's also too small in the rear seating area for a compact entry level luxury car.